Daniel Chapter 3

Verse 1

This story begins with King Nebuchadnezzar making an enormous golden image of a man, approximately 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide. Set up on a large open plain, this image must have been a magnificent sight, visible for miles and glistening in the sun. Why did Nebuchadnezzar make this great image?

We find the answer back in Daniel Chapter 2. Nebuchadnezzar had been greatly impressed by his dream of a great image and the interpretation provided by Daniel, especially the part about him being the head of gold. But the initial impression gradually wore off, and as he thought it over he was disturbed by the fact that his kingdom was only the golden head of the image. Furthermore, through the symbols of the various metals God had predicted that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would pass away, to be followed by a series of inferior kingdoms. And as a final insult to Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, Daniel’s God had predicted that He Himself would set up a kingdom that would never pass away.

King Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t the only one troubled by the events of Chapter 2. The wise men of Babylon had been saved from death by the intercession of Daniel and his three companions, but they were smarting over the humiliation of not being able to tell the dream or give the interpretation. Not only that, but Daniel had done what they were unable to do, and King Nebuchadnezzar had appointed this young man as head over all the wise men. Seething with jealousy and hatred, they were eager for revenge.

God’s prediction of the future didn’t suit Nebuchadnezzar’s plans or ambitions. And so, motivated by pride and selfish ambition, and spurred on by his scheming wise men, he set about to re-write history. (SOP 1) Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image was a statement to the world that his kingdom would stand forever, never to be conquered or replaced by another kingdom. His image was also a challenge to Daniel’s God. Not even the God of heaven would be able to establish a kingdom that could replace Babylon!

Verses 2, 3

Nebuchadnezzar planned a grand dedication ceremony to take place upon completion of the image, and commanded all the top officials of his kingdom to be present. The list included:

Satraps (princes, KJV) – Rulers over satrapies, the largest divisions of the Babylonian Empire.

Administrators (captains, KJV) – Probably the heads over the armed forces.

Governors – Rulers of provinces, the divisions of satrapies.

Counselors – (The original word is closely related to “judge,” so these officials may have been legal advisors.)

Treasurers

Judges

Magistrates (sheriffs, KJV) – Probably the heads over law enforcement.

All the officials of the provinces – All the lower officials of any importance.

As commanded by the king, all these officials gathered on the plain of Dura before the golden image on the day of the dedication. Imagine the parades, pomp and pageantry that must have taken place on such a grand occasion, as these rulers arrived in all their finery accompanied by escorts.

Verses 4 – 6

At last the anticipated moment arrived, and a herald proclaimed Nebuchadnezzar’s decree before the vast assembly. When the royal band began to play, all present were commanded to fall down before the golden image. This act of worship would show their supreme loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar and the kingdom of Babylon. Refusal would be considered an act of treason punishable by immediate execution in a burning fiery furnace.

Consider what Nebuchadnezzar was trying to accomplish by this command. The events of Daniel Chapter 2 must have been reported far and wide throughout the kingdom, including God’s prediction of the eventual demise of Babylon. So when Nebuchadnezzar built the golden image, his defiance of God’s prediction would have been evident to all. But Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t satisfied to merely make a political statement. By his decree commanding worship of the image, he was attempting to force the world to accept his view of the future instead of God’s.

Also consider that the ceremony dedicating the image was not primarily a religious event. By commanding an act of worship, Nebuchadnezzar was mixing the state religion (idolatry) with the affairs of state.

Notice also the use of music. This ceremony was choreographed to appeal to the senses. Bewitching music enticed the ear, the magnificent image enticed the eye, and the presence of the multitude of Babylonian dignitaries gave a sense of grandeur and power. This grand display exerted enormous pressure upon all present to “go along” with the king’s command.

The list of instruments in the band is interesting. The horn (or cornet) was a metal trumpet. The flute was probably made from a reed. The harp resembled our modern harp, but with fewer strings and a lower tone. The lyre (or sackbut, KJV) was also a stringed instrument, with several strings stretched across a square frame with an attached sounding board. The psaltery was another stringed instrument of triangular shape. (Note: the KJV also mentions a dulcimer in vs. 10, which was actually a bagpipe, a Greek instrument.)

Verse 7

The band began to play, and the vast assembly fell on their faces before the golden image. But not everybody! Daniel’s three companions, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were in that enormous crowd, and they courageously remained standing when everyone else bowed to the golden image.

Because of their high positions in the kingdom (see Daniel 2:49) these three young men were required to be present. But they remained steadfast to their God and His commandments in spite of enormous pressure to conform. The combined influence of the crowd, the pageantry and the threat of death all failed to induce them to bow before the image.

Many wonder where Daniel was on this occasion. There has been much speculation as to his whereabouts, but we simply aren’t told.

Verse 8

The wise men of Babylon were watching Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, to see what they would do. When these young men remained standing before the image, the Chaldean spokesmen immediately sought an audience with the king.

Verses 9 - 12

First reminding the king of his decree and the penalty for disobedience, they then reported that these young Hebrew men, whom the king had honored with high positions, had refused to give the king his due honor. They had refused to worship his gods or bow down to the golden image.

In spite of the fact that they owed their lives to the intervention of these young men, the wise men were eager to see them destroyed.

Verse 13

Enraged that his command had been defied and his grand day spoiled, the king immediately had the young men brought before him.

Verse 14

In spite of his great rage, Nebuchadnezzar liked and respected these young men. He had been impressed with their sterling characters and superior abilities. And so he first asked them if the accusations were true.

Verse 15

But he didn’t wait for their answer! Perhaps realizing that they were as loyal to their God as was Daniel, he announced that he was giving them a second chance. The music would play again, and they would have another opportunity to bow down to the image and thereby avoid execution. He then betrayed his true motives with a challenge – “Who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

Verses 16 - 18

The response of these young men was courteous, but firm. First stating that their decision had already been made, they assured the king that their God was able to deliver them from his hand. But even if He chose not to deliver them, they would not serve Nebuchadnezzar’s gods or worship his golden image. What unflinching courage they exhibited, when faced with the prospect of certain death!

This kind of courage and loyalty does not come in a moment. Their previous allegiance to God, their obedience to Him in the “little” things, had prepared them for this big test. And the Holy Spirit was present in the crisis, bringing calmness and assurance as they stood before the king and gave their answer.

Verses 19, 20

His face contorted with rage, Nebuchadnezzar command that the furnace be superheated. (SOP 2) He then ordered some of his top soldiers to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego and throw them into the midst of the furnace.

Verses 21 - 23

Dressed in all their finery for this special occasion, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were bound and cast into the furnace. The furnace was so hot by this time that the flames killed the soldiers who cast them into the furnace. Bound from head to toe, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego fell down into the midst of the fire.

Verses 24, 25

As he watched the young men cast into the furnace, one can imagine King Nebuchadnezzar sitting back on his throne in satisfaction. But suddenly he started from his throne and leaped to his feet in astonishment. The three young men were loose from their bonds, walking back and forth in the fire, and had been joined by a fourth person. Incredulous at the sight, the king asked his advisors if they had indeed thrown three men into the fire. This was confirmed, and he called them to look at the sight. He then described the fourth person in the fire - in appearance like the Son of God!

How did this heathen king recognize Jesus? It was because of the witness of Daniel and his three companions. By their faithful witness and daily lives there in the royal court, the entire palace had been introduced to the true God of heaven. (SOP 3)

Verses 26, 27

Forgetting his royal dignity, the king went as near the furnace as he dared and called for the young men to come out. When they came out, the king and his officials gathered around them, looking them over in astonishment. They were completely unharmed by the fire, even their hair and clothes were not singed. There was no smell of smoke on them. Only the ropes that had bound them were burned!

Verses 29, 30

Nebuchadnezzar was so overwhelmed by this display of divine power that he decided to go into partnership with God. He proclaimed a royal decree granting recognition to the Hebrew religion and providing protection for the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego – as though God needed his protection! The punishment for speaking against the God of heaven was the same as for the wise men in Chapter 2. Although impressed by God’s power, Nebuchadnezzar’s actions revealed that his character was unchanged.

The king then promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego to higher positions in his kingdom.

The End-time Dimension of Daniel 3

The stories of Daniel are not mere stories, they are also prophecies. These stories illustrate the events of end-time prophecy.

That which was geographically local in the story is to be understood in a worldwide sense when applied to the end times. Also, the literal language of the story is to be interpreted in a symbolic manner.

For example, consider the following parallels between this story and the end-time prophecies of Revelation:

1. In this story, Babylon is the kingdom ruling the world. In the last days, spiritual Babylon is the kingdom ruling the world (Revelation 17:18, 5).

2. In this story, God’s people were captive in Babylon. Later, God would call His people to come out of Babylon (Jeremiah 50:8,28; 51:6,45). In the last days, God’s people are captives in spiritual Babylon, and God will call His people to come out of her (Revelation 18:2-5).

3. Nebuchadnezzar behaved like a beast for 7 years (Daniel 4). In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar (the beast) raised up an image in his honor and in honor of his god. His god was the patron sun-god of Babylon, Marduk. In the last days, a power identified as the beast will have an image raised up in its honor. This image will honor the sun in the form of sun-day.

4. Hidden behind the dimensions of Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Daniel 3:1) is the number 666, known as the great number of the sun. Notice the following:

a. The Babylonians were the creators of the sexagesimal system (a numerical system based on the number 6). We still have remnants of this system today, 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, etc.

b. The Babylonians had a yearly cycle of 360 days and divided the universe into 360 degrees.

c. The Babylonians established 36 gods in their pantheon, who governed over all space and time. Marduk was over these 36 gods, and was the universal god of space and time.

d. If you add the numbers 1-36, the total is 666. (Notice that this number contains all the numbers from 1-36.) This became known as the great number of the sun. There is a very clear connection between the number 666 and the sun god.

e. The Babylonian priesthood wore circular amulets or medallions of gold on a chain around their necks (yellow and round like the sun). On one side of the medallion was a hexagon and within the hexagon was a large square with 36 smaller squares within. Each of these smaller squares contained a number from 1-36. Under the large square frequently was found the number 666. By wearing these medallions, the Chaldean priesthood was invoking the protection of the sun-god, Marduk, whose number was 666. On the reverse side of the medallion was a lion whose body looked like a serpent and whose face was the sun. The lion’s mane was the rays of the sun. Is it a mere coincidence that a lion is the symbol for Babylon in Daniel Chapter 7?

f. Rome later adopted the number 666 when the Latin poets established a number system based on 6 letters of the Latin alphabet (I, V, X, L, C, D) whose total is 666. (The letter M was not part of the original system.)

In summary, when Nebuchadnezzar built an image that measured 60 cubits by 6 cubits, and commanded all to bow before it, he was commanding all to worship the sun-god whose number is 666. In the last days, there will be a power called the beast that will promote sun worship and will be identified by the number 666 (Revelation 13:18). A command will be given to worship the image of the beast (Revelation 13:15).

5. The central issue in Daniel 3 is worship. Nebuchadnezzar gave a decree to worship the image. The crucial question was: Would all people worship the image to the beast, whose number was 666 and whose insignia was the sun? (Note: The word worship appears no less than 12 times in Daniel Chapter 3, in verses 5-7,10-12,14,15,18, and 28.) In the last days, the central issue will once again be worship (Revelation 13:4,12,15; 14:7,9).

6. In Daniel 3 there was a union of church and state, of politics and religion. Refusal to worship was not only blasphemy against the religion of Babylon but treason against the political authority of the king. In the last days, refusal to worship the image to the beast will again be considered both blasphemy and treason (Revelation 13:4,15).

7. Nebuchadnezzar’s decree was illegitimate. He was overstepping his bounds. At issue was the first table of God’s law. The enforcement of the first table of God’s law belongs to God alone because it describes our duty to Him. The first table describes the elements of true worship to God. The decree commanding worship of the image was in conflict with the second commandment, and it required all to decide whether to obey the civil authority or God’s law. It was even wrong for Nebuchadnezzar to decree worship to the true God at the end of Chapter 3 (verse 29). In the last days, there will again be an illegitimate decree that conflicts with God’s law. Only this time the issue will be over the fourth commandment.

8. Nebuchadnezzar’s decree was universal. It included all nations, peoples, and languages (Daniel 3:4). In the last days, the decree to worship the image will also be universal (Revelation 13:12).

9. Music played a very significant role in the worship of the image. Likewise, in the last days music will play a significant role in worship within spiritual Babylon.

10. A death decree was proclaimed against all who refused to worship the image to the beast. In the last days there will again be a death decree against those who refuse to worship the Image to the Beast (Revelation 13:14, 15).

11. A faithful remnant chose to worship God and keep His commandments even at the risk of death. (Notice that they did not practice civil disobedience but rather religious disobedience.) Likewise, in the last days a faithful remnant will choose to worship God and keep His commandments even at the risk of death (Revelation 12:17, 14:12).

12. Those who accused the remnant before the king were the religious leaders of Babylon. The spiritual leaders of Babylon were the remnant’s greatest enemies (Daniel 3:8-12). In the last days, the religious leaders of spiritual Babylon will be the remnant’s greatest enemies.

13. The three young men went through a time of trouble in which their faith was tested. The entire world stood against them and yet they stood alone for God (Daniel 3:20-23). In the last days, the final remnant will go through a time of trouble and stand alone for God against the world.

Those who stand for God in the crisis, whether it be the Hebrew young men or the final remnant, will have to stand alone on God’s promises. Their characters will have been formed by their past allegiance to God and their obedience to His requirements. The crisis will only exhibit the characters they have formed.

It is important to note that the three young men were not the heroes of this story. The true hero was Jesus, who stood with them through their fiery trial and delivered them. The real message of this story is that of DELIVERANCE.

Spirit of Prophecy Quotations

1 “The words, "Thou art this head of gold," had made a deep impression upon the ruler's mind. Verse 38. The wise men of his realm, taking advantage of this and of his return to idolatry, proposed that he make an image similar to the one seen in his dream, and set it up where all might behold the head of gold, which had been interpreted as representing his kingdom.

“Pleased with the flattering suggestion, he determined to carry it out, and to go even farther. Instead of reproducing the image as he had seen it, he would excel the original. His image should not deteriorate in value from the head to the feet, but should be entirely of gold--symbolic throughout of Babylon as an eternal, indestructible, all-powerful kingdom, which should break in pieces all other kingdoms and stand forever.” – Prophets and Kings, page 504.

2 “When the king saw that his will was not received as the will of God, he was "full of fury," and the form of his visage was changed against these men. Satanic attributes made his countenance appear as the countenance of a demon; and with all the force he could command, he ordered that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than its wont, and commanded the most mighty men to bind the youth, and cast them into the furnace. He felt that it required more than ordinary power to deal with these noble men. His mind was strongly impressed that something unusual would interpose in their behalf, and his strongest men were ordered to deal with them.” – Signs of the Times, May 6, 1897.

3 “How did that heathen king know what the Son of God was like? The Hebrew captives filling positions of trust in Babylon had in life and character represented before him the truth. When asked for a reason of their faith, they had given it without hesitation. Plainly and simply they had presented the principles of righteousness, thus teaching those around them of the God whom they worshiped. They had told of Christ, the Redeemer to come; and in the form of the fourth in the midst of the fire the king recognized the Son of God.” – Prophets and Kings, page 509.